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O'Neal joins a Boston team that returns its core from last season, when the Celtics went to the NBA Finals before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games.

O'Neal, 38, will provide frontcourt help for Boston, which already added Jermaine O'Neal this offseason. While terms of the deal were not disclosed, the Boston Globe reported it is a one-year deal.

Shaq spent last season with Cleveland, averaging 12.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in 53 games but came up empty in his quest to bring a title to the city along with now-departed LeBron James.

"It is not every day that you can add a player of Shaquille's caliber to your team," said Danny Ainge, Celtics president of basketball operations. "His past experience speaks for itself and we believe that he is a great fit for our roster."

O'Neal is a 15-time All-Star and was the NBA Finals MVP from 2000-02 as he led the Lakers to three consecutive titles. O'Neal was also the league's MVP in 2000.

In addition to the three Lakers championships, O'Neal won an NBA title with Miami in 2006 alongside Dwyane Wade.

Since being selected as the top overall pick in the 1992 draft by Orlando, O'Neal has averaged 24.1 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.3 blocks in 1,170 career games with the Magic, Lakers, Heat, Suns and the Cavaliers.

He also has appeared in 214 career playoff games, averaging 24.5 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. O'Neal ranks fifth all-time with 28,255 career points, and is 14th all-time in total rebounds 12,921.